U.S. patent application number 12/231473 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-04 for voice recorder based position registration.
This patent application is currently assigned to UTC Fire and Security Corporation. Invention is credited to Luiz Fer Bacellar, Thomas M. Gillis, Christian M. Netter, Jae-Hyuk Oh, Ankit Tiwari.
Application Number | 20100052903 12/231473 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41724507 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100052903 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tiwari; Ankit ; et
al. |
March 4, 2010 |
Voice recorder based position registration
Abstract
A system and method for monitoring a location having at least
one sensor for sensing a change in at least one condition using
voice tags to announce alarms. The system includes a registration
process where a voice recorder and a digital conversion unit form
digital voice tags from recorded speech representing the type and
location of sensors. The voice tag is sent as part of an alarm
message or pre-stored in a control panel for later retrieval such
that the type and location of an alarm is reproduced vocally at the
time of the alarm. The registration process may be completed with a
registration module which may be a keypad or the voice recorder may
be included in the sensors. Additional features include sensor
location change notification to ensure the stored voice tag
represents the current location of the sensor.
Inventors: |
Tiwari; Ankit; (Farmington,
CT) ; Oh; Jae-Hyuk; (Glastonbury, CT) ;
Netter; Christian M.; (West Hartford, CT) ; Bacellar;
Luiz Fer; (Glastonbury, CT) ; Gillis; Thomas M.;
(Bloomfield, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KINNEY & LANGE, P.A.
THE KINNEY & LANGE BUILDING, 312 SOUTH THIRD STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55415-1002
US
|
Assignee: |
UTC Fire and Security
Corporation
Farmington
CT
|
Family ID: |
41724507 |
Appl. No.: |
12/231473 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/541 ;
704/246 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 25/003 20130101;
G08B 25/012 20130101; G10L 19/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/541 ;
704/246 |
International
Class: |
G08B 13/00 20060101
G08B013/00; G10L 15/00 20060101 G10L015/00 |
Claims
1. A monitoring system comprising: at least one sensor for sensing
a change in at least one condition, the sensor having a unique
identification number (ID) and being capable of raising an alarm; a
registration module including a voice recorder for recording a
verbal description of the location of the sensor; a voice to
digital conversion unit associated with the voice recorder for
creating a voice tag from the verbal description recorded on the
voice recorder, the registration module being adapted to send a
registration message including the voice tag and the ID associated
with the sensor; and a control panel for receiving the registration
message, storing the voice tag and ID, and recalling the ID when
the sensor associated with the ID raises the alarm.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the registration message further
comprises a group number.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the ID is pre-stored in the
sensor.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the condition is selected from
the group consisting of motion, smoke, heat, carbon monoxide,
water, water vapor, door integrity, window integrity, audio
changes, video changes, lock integrity, and location change.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes a speaker for
reproducing the voice tag.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control panel or the
registration module includes a speech to text converter for storing
a text representation of the voice tag.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the control panel is capable of
sending a signal to a remote interface.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the remote interface includes at
least one from the following list: a user web GUI, an email, a
central monitoring station, and a mobile phone.
9. The system of claim 4, wherein the sensor, in response to a
detected location change, produces a signal indicating that the
voice tag associated with the sensor must be updated.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the voice recorder is connected
to the sensor over a wired link.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the voice recorder is connected
to the sensor over a wireless link.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm includes the message
including the voice tag recalled from the storage.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the control panel includes
storage and the transmitter sends the message with the voice tag
recorded by the voice recorder to the control panel which stores
the message in the storage.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the sensor further comprises a
unique identification number (ID) and the message includes the ID;
and wherein the control panel associates the voice tag with the
ID.
15. A method comprising: installing a sensor for sensing a change
in at least one condition at a location; recording words spoken
describing the location of the sensor; converting the recorded
words to a voice tag using a voice to digital conversion unit; and
storing the voice tag.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises
first testing network signal strength of the location.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises
testing the sensor over the network after installing the
sensor.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the condition is selected from
the group consisting of motion, smoke, heat, carbon monoxide,
water, water vapor, door integrity, window integrity, audio
changes, video changes and lock integrity.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the sensor stores the voice
tag.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein storing the voice tag includes
the sensor sending the message over the network to a module capable
of storing voice.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to security and fire systems
in locations such as buildings. More particularly, the invention
relates to a system and method for registering the specific
location of at least one sensor for sensing a change in at least
one condition.
[0002] Security and fire systems are spatially distributed by their
very nature. In order for a first responder to locate the sensor
when it sends an alarm, it is necessary to register the physical
location of all the distributed modules when installing the system.
Prior art location registration techniques have been totally
manual, where the installer needs to record the physical location
of each sensor in the system, either before or after the
installation of the module. One prior art system allows the user to
walk through a set of pre-recorded voice prompts at the panel to
register the sensor. Other systems require manual data entry using
small, inconvenient keypads, which is tedious, cost-inefficient,
and, most importantly, vulnerable to human errors.
SUMMARY
[0003] A sensor registration process and system is provided for use
with fire and security systems where sensors are installed by an
installer. The sensor is used to sense a change in at least one
condition. In order to be effective, a first responder must be able
to quickly determine the location where a sensor raising an alarm
is installed. The registration process includes a voice recorder
for recording words spoken at the time of installation giving the
location of the sensor. Sensor registration includes noting the
type of sensor and its location and storing this information to be
later recalled and used to identify the specific location of the
sensor on the premises. The voice recording is converted to a voice
tag via a coder/decoder to send to the control panel using a
digital message for storing or to indicate a current alarm if the
voice tag is stored in the sensor. When the voice tag is stored in
the control panel, the sensor also provides a unique identification
number (ID) during the registration process that is stored and
associated with the voice tag. The ID is included in the alarm
signal and used to retrieve the voice tag associated with the
sensor now raising an alarm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a fire and security
system.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the registration of
sensors in the system of FIG. 1.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a different embodiment not
requiring a specific registration module.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment where the voice
recorder is separate from the sensor.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment where the voice
tag is stored in the sensor.
[0009] FIGS. 6 and 7 are side elevation views of an apparatus for
use in sensor location change detection.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The present invention provides a system and method for
registering a sensor used to monitor a space or location. The
sensors may be, by way of example and not of limitation, selected
from one or more sensors capable of monitoring motion, smoke, heat,
carbon monoxide, water, water vapor, door integrity, window
integrity, lock integrity, audio changes, video changes and other
activities at a location.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates fire and security system 10, which is
located on premises 11 and which includes a plurality of sensors 12
such as motion detector 12a, glass-break detector 12b, door or
window contact sensor 12c, smoke detector 12d, and video monitor
12e. A communication network 13, which is wired or wireless,
connects the sensors to control panel 16. Keypad 14 and key fob 15
are examples of devices which allow the user to activate or
deactivate the fire and security system. Additionally, keypad 14
contains an encoder/decoder element and transceiver element used to
receive digital transmissions of voice tags from control panel 16
and a speaker element to provide spoken identification of the
status of the sensors in the system. Keypad 14 can be wireless or
hardwired. In some embodiments, keypad 14 is also used as a
registration module and carried from one sensor to another during
the registration process. Control panel 16 located on premises 11
sends digital signals via internet 17a, land line 17b or cellular
network 17c, to a remote location 18 for reception by central
monitoring station 18a, user web interface 18b, or mobile phone
18c.
[0012] During the use of system 10, when a change occurs in a
condition being monitored, sensor 12 associated with that condition
sends an alarm signal to control panel 16 which then provides the
voice tag associated with the sensor raising the alarm to devices
such as keypad 14 on the premises and to remote central monitoring
station 18a. It is then relayed to assist first responders such as
firefighters and security personnel to locate the sensor and
address the change in condition. The voice tag generally includes a
pre-recorded portion related to the specific type of sensor 12 and
a second portion related to the location recorded during the
registration process associated with that sensor. This verbal
announcement is made over speakers 40 and 41.
[0013] The first task the installer must complete is to prepare
system 10 for installation and registration of sensors 12. This
process starts by powering up control panel 16. Next, registration
module R, which may be keypad 14 in some embodiments, is powered
up. Registration module R prompts the user to enter a valid
authentication code. Once a valid code is entered, the system is in
registration mode. If registration module R is to be permanently
installed in the system such as keypad 14, it then prompts the user
to record a voice tag describing the keypad's name and location.
Registration module R/keypad 14 then transmits its unique
identification code, voice tag, and device type information to the
control panel to be stored. In some embodiments, control panel 16
includes a speech-to-text element and additionally converts the
voice tag to text and stores that as well. With the authentication
completed and the keypad 14 registered, sensors 12 can now be
registered.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates the installation and registration process
for sensors 12. A procedure for positioning and mounting each
sensor 12a-12e is used to insure proper connectivity to control
panel 16. First, the coarse location for mounting based upon the
sensing requirements selected, ex. the corner of a large room for
motion sensor 12a. Using a signal strength indicator on
registration module R, such as display 25 of keypad 14, installer I
observes the connectivity strength of the network connection to
control panel 16 around the selected location. If insufficient or
no connectivity is found at the selected mounting location, a
repeater, not shown, is installed between the location and control
panel 16. Once the connectivity of the location is confirmed,
installer I powers up the sensor to be installed at that
location.
[0015] After installer I selects the mounting location for motion
sensor 12a and it is powered up, it sends its unique identification
code or ID (that is pre-stored in the sensor or added during
mounting) to the registration module via link 31b. Registration
module R alerts installer I to the presence of the new device, ex.
a "New Device Found" indication on display 25, and provides a
prompt for a group number and a voice tag that describes the
sensor's location. The group number is used to identify whether
sensor 12 is a 24 hour sensor, restoral sensor, etc. The voice tag
is generally a phrase such as "dining room window", "west entry
door", etc and is created by recording the installer's voice spoken
into voice recorder 27. An internal or external microphone may be
used by voice recorder 27 to make the recording. Registration
module R then converts the voice recording using a digital
converter to a digital voice tag and sends it, the associated
identification code, and the group number to control panel 16 via
link 30 to be saved in storage 33. In some embodiments, control
panel 16 or registration module R includes a speech-to-text
converter element and additionally converts the voice tag to text
and stores that as well.
[0016] Registration module R then prompts the installer to mount
sensor 12a at its desired location and test the connectivity
between mounted sensor 12a and the control panel 16. After mounting
sensor 12a, installer I uses registration module R to send a test
command over link 31a to sensor 12a so that sensor 12a will test
its connection to control panel 16. Upon receipt of the test
command, sensor 12a then sends a test signal over link 29b to
control panel 16. In response to successful signal reception,
control panel 16 sends a success signal back to sensor 12a over
link 29a. Sensor 12a, upon receipt of the success signal from
control panel 16, turns on indicator 32 for communicating the
success to installer I. Installer I then repeats the registration
process for all remaining sensors 12 (ex. sensors 12b-12e shown in
FIG. 1).
[0017] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment that does not require the
use of a designated registration module. Each sensor 12 is equipped
with voice recorder 27, a digital conversion unit for converting a
recorded voice to a voice tag and activation button 35. In the
example illustrated, installer I presses activation button 35 on a
sensor (ex. sensor 12a shown on FIG. 3) and then speaks the
location where sensor 12a is being installed into the sensor's
voice recorder 27. The sensor then converts the voice recording to
a voice tag and transmits it and its unique identification number
using a digital signal to control panel 16 to be saved in storage
33. Sensor 12a is now registered and installer I repeats this
process with all other sensors 12b-12e. This process can
additionally be repeated during operation with mobile devices such
as keyfob 15. For example, the user may create a new voice tag such
as "I need help and I'm in the dining room." This distress call can
then be routed to the first responders so that they may provide
help quickly.
[0018] FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment where voice recorder 27
may provide the digital voice recording over wired or wireless link
36 to sensor 12a. This embodiment is useful for sensors not
equipped with their own voice recorders.
[0019] A further embodiment shown in FIG. 5 allows the storage of
the voice tag to be located in sensor 12a-12e itself rather than in
control panel 16. In this example, sensor 12 transmits the voice
tag stored in its memory to control panel 16 at the time of alarm
as part of the alarm signal.
[0020] Once sensors 12 are installed and registered using the voice
tag based registration of the various embodiments, system 10 is
ready to operate. When an alarm signal is received from a sensor,
such as when smoke is detected, a voice recording is concatenated
based on the type of alarm signal. An example is:
<PreRecorded_Device_Type_Message> plus
<User_Recorded_Voice_Tag>. The prerecorded device type
message may be "Motion Detected at" for motion detectors,
"Door/Window Open at" or "Door/Window Closed at" for door/window
detectors when doors or windows are opened or closed, "Carbon
Monoxide Detected at" for carbon monoxide detectors. Control panel
16 plays the concatenated voice recording via speaker 41 or
transmits it to keypad 14 to play via speaker 40 to announce the
alarm locally. In some embodiments, control panel 16 is
additionally capable of leaving a voice message reporting the
system alarm to mobile phone 18c or other telephone designated to
receive the notice. In embodiments that include video monitoring
sensor 12e, control panel 16 can combine the reproduced voice tag
and the event related pre-alarm video recording into an audio-video
file and send it as an email attachment over the internet or to a
mobile phone. Additionally, control panel 16 uses the location text
(obtained by speech-to-text conversion) to send an alarm message to
a remote interface such as at least one from the following list: a
central monitoring station 18a, user web GUI 18b, as an email
attachment, to mobile phone 18c, etc. It should be noted that the
prerecorded device type message may also be customized by a user in
his/her own voice.
[0021] System 10 may also include a sensor location change
notification. This allows the sensor to notify a user (example: a
message on display 25) when the mounting location of an installed
and registered sensor is changed. When such a change is detected,
the system notifies and prompts the user to change the location
related voice-tag so that it corresponds to the new location.
[0022] FIGS. 6 and 7 show one procedure to detect a change in
mounting location. Sensor 12a has wall-tamper switch 45 in place in
FIG. 6 so that when it is dismounted from wall 46, in FIG. 7, the
wall-tamper switch is tripped when it breaks contact with the wall.
The sensor is then reregistered following the processes outlined
above.
[0023] Voice generated status messages make system 10 easier to use
and understand. The system makes it intuitive for both the user and
the first responder to locate the alarm and significantly increases
the speed and accuracy of the installation. The user no longer has
to go between the selected location and the panel repeatedly or use
a small inconvenient keypad in a tedious and error prone process to
register the sensor.
[0024] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *